After nearly thirty years of development, Honda Aircraft Company has at last begun deliveries of its first commercial aircraft, the HondaJet light jet with a $4.5 million price tag.
The company delivered the first jet on Dec. 23 at its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, following final type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Dec. 8
Honda Aircraft Company is manufacturing the aircraft at its headquarters in Greensboro and selling it through a network of sales reps in North America, South America and Europe. A 90,000 square-foot customer service facility in Greensboro supports the dealer network with heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.
Pilot training is being conducted for HondaJet customers with a full-motion, Level D flight simulator installed at the Honda Aircraft Training Center in Greensboro.
The HondaJet incorporates an over-the-wing engine mount design to increase fuel efficiency and speed and make more room in the cabin. The 43x39x14 foot plane, which seats two pilots and four passengers, is the fastest and lightest in its class, with a 483 mph maximum cruising speed at 30,000 feet.
Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co. The 900-employee company is helmed by CEO Michimasa Fujino, who has shepherded the project since its beginnings in 1986.
